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| Rizwan in action, on globo-social work |
The Year of the Tiger is drawing to a close. Its eyes have seen much, its spirit has soared triumphant at many moments, and its strength has been powerless at many moments. Weddings and births and seasonal celebrations have been married with falling bombs, earthquakes and floods, and new countries being carved up, borders bleeding one into the other.
Next year will be the Year of the Rabbit. One of my elder brother's sayings is, "Hope life is treating you gently". In the Year of the Rabbit, may life treat gently those who have been devoured by the tiger. And may those of us who luxuriated in the royal blessings of happiness this year, continue to cultivate gratitude, kindness and the art of being gentle for the next year to come.
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| My beautiful sister, Theresa - just promoted to associate partner at her law firm and mother-to-be. Doesn't she glow? |
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| Me, the smiling observer, in the comforting shade of Mum's smile. |
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| The truth is, we needed the tiger's roar to make it to Singapore. And the island of Nikoi!! Woo hoo!! |
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| Irfan's mischievous smile in full. He keeps many things successfully juggled at all times - work, family, marriage, a baby on the way - and always, that dazzling smile at hand. |
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| The ones who lead the way.... |
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| and the new generation who follow and lead at the same time. |
I love what you wrote here, Shaista. The year of the tiger indeed. I do hope the rabbit ushers in more peaceful energy. You have such a BEAUTIFUL and RADIANT family. Wowzers! Every single one of you glow. It does my old heart good. I see you have a kindle. Tell me, do you prefer it to a book? I can see there would be advantages. But I have been such a book gal for so many hundreds of years now, not sure I could make the switch. Tho I was dragged kicking and screaming away from my underwood typewriter and forced to learn computer - after which I blessed my boss forever for insisting, I could not live without one now.
ReplyDeleteI love what you wrote about cultivating gratitude and kindness. An old year closing - all possibilities ahead in the new year. I hope it especially good to you, Shaista, you so deserve it.
The Rabbits will have a party
ReplyDeleteThe last two years have been pretty dreadful for me with the loss of my forensic nursing position with San Francisco after 21 years - in massive budget cuts to the Dept of Public Health. At 64-1/2, with a mobility disability, I couldn't move to another area of nursing so I retired on only a half pension with a $100,000 annual decrease in income. My travels have ceased and, March 1, I move from the home I rented for 13 years. Downsizing and sorting through the things I love has been traumatic. 2011 has got to be better!!
ReplyDeleteYou and your family look radiant. I have been to Singapore twice and just loved it. I'm so glad I did not wait till retirement to see the world!!! I have wonderful memories to sustain me and friends all over the world!
Love this post, a summary of the year in heart and snapshot. Love that one of you with the profile of your mother nearby, both of you, shining. It must have been a glorious day, I can only imagine.
ReplyDeleteHere's to the coming year of the Rabbit, all things to come soft & fuzzy then?
The year of the, sadly fast-disappearing, tiger is coming to a close. The beautiful, striped beast that has always mesmerised me. I admit to being drawn to predators: the majestic tiger, the misunderstood shark and the sharp-eyed eagle.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful family. May the rabbit have plenty of nice surprises for you and your family in its warren! :-)
Greetings from London.
p.s. Shaista, what a BEAUTIFUL image of a tiger on your header.And have you read The Snow Leopard, by Peter Matthiessen? It is like taking a slow walking meditation through the Himalayas and is quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi babes, thank you for the wonderful posts. It is always such a joy and pleasure to feel your words cruise gently across the oceans to make our days that little bit more meaningful and special! year of the rabbit indeed! not sure how i feel about your nephew being a rabbit! but we shall see. i am well excited to see the blanket btw...
ReplyDeleteI was stopping by because I wanted to wish you a happy new year and thank you for being a follower of my blog. It means a lot to me. Thank you. May your new year be filled with laughter, more joy than sorrow, peace, and wisdom. Blessings to you. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteGentle thoughts uttered beautifuly and received gratefully. May 2011 bring you all the best, Shaista.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. Lovely family!
ReplyDeleteWarm and woolly wishes, to you and yours, Shaista for 2011! xx
You have a gorgeous and clearly happy family. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of you in the shadow of your mother's smile.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful Little sister.
We all play our role, and do the best we can. Even the hummingbird, gentle and tiny, is a gift. May your life be gentle this year, like the rabbit, Shaista. I wish you abundant health and inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThis post is like a beautiful page of a scrapbook, a real treasure to the world just like you and your family are!
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